Start a Club
Recognized student clubs enjoy benefits like: use of campus spaces, the freedom to promote their club and events on campus, and the opportunity to apply for ASI funding (subject to availability and eligibility).
To start a club...
Step 1: Check for club availability.
Use the Find a Club search to make sure that no other club exists with a similar purpose.
Step 2: Recruit 5 members and an advisor.
- Find five currently enrolled Cal Poly students who would like to be a part of the club.
- Find a Cal Poly State University employee who would be willing to serve as the club's advisor.
Tip: Find the contact information for faculty and staff on your Cal Poly Portal, "Home" tab, "Simple Search."
Step 3: Complete and Submit the Petition and Bylaws
- Complete the Petition for University Recognition (AdobeSign link is only active during petition windows).
- Complete the bylaws using the Cal Poly Club Bylaws Template. The Bylaws will be submitted as part of the Petition AdobeSign process.
Cal Poly will accept petitions and bylaw submissions during the following dates:
Petition Timeline 2020-2021
| Quarter | first day to submit | last day to submit | RSO Petition Committee Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2021 | Monday, January 4, 2021 | Friday, January 29, 2021 | Monday, March 15, 2021 |
| Spring 2021 | Monday, March 29, 2021 | Friday, April 23, 2021 | Monday, June 7, 2021 |
Petitions and bylaws must be submitted on or prior to the last day to submit for consideration during that quarter. Submission timelines allow the Clubs & Organizations Office to investigate petitions and bylaws prior to an evaluation by the Recognized Student Organization (RSO) Petition Committee on the last week of each quarter.
Complete the Training
If the committee determines your Petition for University Recognition and bylaws are in order, you will receive an email notification to have your president, treasurer, and advisor complete the training.
Submit your Charter
Once all required officers/advisors have completed the training, ASI Club Services will be notified and a Club Charter will be emailed to the incoming club president within 5-7 business days with instructions on how to complete the chartering process via AdobeSign.
For additional step-by-step instructions on what is involved in starting a new Cal Poly club, see the Cal Poly RSO Handbook
